Dahlia plant named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ that is distinguishable by a compact rounded habit, glossy mahogany-black divided leaves and dark purple-brown stems. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ exhibits large bright red blossoms and dark central disks. In combination these traits set ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dahlia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Dahlia.

Species: variabilis.

Denomination: ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia grown for use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape. The new invention is known botanically as Dahlia variabilis and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’. The specific epithet variabilis represents a hybrid seedling line that came from crossing various original wild species in the early 1800's, and refers to the species' wide range of flower color and shapes. Dahlia is in the family Compositae. The flower of ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is a “single” form blossom and exhibits a single row of ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disk florets.

‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ was selected as a seedling that resulted from the controlled cross-pollination carried out by the inventor in a cultivated area of Auckland, New Zealand. The breeding began in 1995 by crossing an individual plant Dahlia variabilis ‘Colour Sucker’ (unpatented) as the female parent and an individual of Dahlia variabilis ‘Scarlet Fern’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,989) as the male parent. Seed was collected from the female parent and coded as 7163/01, then sown with the intention of making a selection from the seedlings that resulted.

‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ was selected in 2005 based on the criteria of leaf color, leaf shape, plant height, self supporting plants, single blooms and flower color. Selection was conducted by the inventor, in Auckland, New Zealand. The unique traits that distinguish the new Dahlia variety named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ from other varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor are glossy mahogany-black divided leaves and profusions of bright red blooms with dark central discs. The new Dahlia named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is distinguishable from the parents predominantly by flower and foliage color. The flowers of ‘Scarlet Fern’ are uniformly orange-red in color. The foliage of ‘Colour Sucker’ is less divided and lighter in color. The closest known variety of Dahlia known to the inventor is the inventor's variety and male parent, ‘Scarlet Fern’. Whereas both ‘Mystic Enchantment’ and ‘Scarlet Fern’ bear mahogany-black divided leaves, the flowers of ‘Scarlet Fern’ are orange-red in color and the flowers of ‘Mystic Enchantment’ are saturated bright red in color. In addition, as a mature plant, ‘Mystic Enchantment’ is approximately 50% taller than ‘Scarlet Fern’.

‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ exhibits a compact rounded habit, bright red flowers with dark central discs, glossy mahogany-black foliage, and dark purple-brown stems. The large single blossoms bloom in summer and fall. Cultural conditions include full sun, regular water and rich well-draining potting soil. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is hardy to USDA Zone 9 and grows to 1.5 m in height and 1 m in width at maturity.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ was conducted in 2005 in Auckland, New Zealand. The method of asexual propagation utilized was softwood cuttings from the tuber in year two and tissue culture thereafter. Since that time under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable, uniform, and to be reproduced true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ from all other existing varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ exhibits compact rounded habit.     -   2. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ exhibits glossy mahogany-black divided         leaves and dark purple-brown stems.     -   3. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is grown for use in mixed combinations,         beds and the landscape.     -   4. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ exhibits large bright red blossoms and         dark central discs.     -   5. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ blooms summer and fall.     -   6. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ grows to 1.5 m in height and 1 m in         width at maturity     -   7. ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is hardy to USDA Zone 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings labeled FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the actual colors of the new Dahlia variety named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts the entire plant in bloom and demonstrates that the foliage of ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is consistently mahogany-black when grown in full sun. Any part of the plant which is in shade, including the shade of other plant parts, turns to olive green in color. This coloration is reversible such that the olive-green foliage returns to mahogany-black when exposed or re-exposed to full sun.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a flower.

The drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flower and foliage color may appear different from actual color due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected in Santa Barbara, Calif. from a 12 month old plant grown in the landscape. Color determinations were made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia variabilis ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’. -   Family: Compositae. -   Genus: Dahlia. -   Species: Variabilis. -   Denomination: ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’. -   Common name: Dahlia. -   Parentage: Dahlia variabilis ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is a seedling that     resulted from the controlled cross-pollination of the following     parents:     -   -   Female parent.—Dahlia variabilis ‘Colour Sucker’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Dahlia variabilis ‘Scarlet Fern’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 18,989). -   Propagation method: Tissue culture and cuttings from virus-indexed     mother stock. -   Vigor: Vigorous. -   Habit: Upright habit. -   Use: For use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape. -   Type: Perennial. -   Dimensions at 12 months of age from a cutting: 1.5 m in height, 1 m     in width. -   Cultural requirements: Grow in full sun with regular water, and     well-draining potting soil. -   Pest susceptibility: Susceptible to aphids. -   Disease susceptibility: Susceptible to mildew in highly humid     conditions. -   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9. -   Roots, tubers:     -   -   Rooting system.—Fine and fibrous with stolons and tubers             developing in long days.         -   Stolons.—4 mm-55 mm in diameter, color 158C.         -   Tubers.—Approximately 6 in number, ellipsoidal, dimensions             varying from 3.5 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter to 7 cm             in length and 3 cm in diameter.         -   Tuber surface.—Smooth, color 158C with rough cuticle in             places, color 199B. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—N186C.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Dimensions.—50 cm in length. Diameter ranges from 1.0 cm at             base to 0.5 cm below uppermost leaf.         -   Surface.—Glabrous.         -   Internode length (average).—5 cm-12 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Note on foliage color, applies throughout.—The foliage of             ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ is consistently mahogany-black when             grown in full sun. Any part of the plant which is in shade,             including the shade of other plant parts, turns olive-green             in color, typically in the range 147A to 152A. This             coloration is reversible such that the olive-green foliage             returns to mahogany-black when exposed or re-exposed to full             sun. All the color readings in the botanical description are             taken from foliage and leaf parts growing in full sun. -   Type: Evergreen.     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Leaf division.—Occasionally simple, predominantly compound             as plant develops and matures. The compound leaf structure             is very evident in a mature plant. -   Simple leaves:     -   -   Leaf dimensions (average).—10 cm in length and 8 cm in             width.         -   Leaf shape.—Hastate.         -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.         -   Leaf apex.—Apiculate.         -   Margin.—Ciliate and pinnatisect.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—203A.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—147C.         -   Leaf venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Veins.—Adaxial surface: Visible only as depressions, color             203A. Abaxial surfaces: Prominent, raised, color N199A.         -   Leaf surfaces (abaxial surfaces).—Slightly puberulent.         -   Leaf surfaces (adaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Leaf fragrance.—None observed.         -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.         -   Petiole dimensions.—0.5 cm to 2 cm in length and 3-4 mm in             width.         -   Petiole color.—Adaxial surface: 187B. Abaxial surfaces: 187B             with streaks of 147C. -   Compound leaves:     -   -   Division.—Bipinnately compound consisting of two pairs of             trilobed lateral leaflets and one trilobed terminal leaflet.             Terminal lobe of terminal leaflet is joined (sessile) with             the bases of the lateral leaflets.         -   Compound leaf dimensions (average).—24 cm in length and 22             cm in width.         -   Leaflet dimensions.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral             leaflets: Length 10.5 cm, width 6.5 cm. Second pair of             lateral leaflets: Length 7 cm, width 3 cm. Terminal leaflet:             Length 7 cm, width 3 cm.         -   Leaflet attachment.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral             leaflets: Petiolule. Second pair of lateral leaflets:             Sessile to rachis. Terminal leaflet: Sessile to rachis.         -   Leaflet shape, base, apex, margin, color, venation, surface             are all identical for lateral leaflets and terminal leaflets             as follows.—Base: Attenuate. Apex: Apiculate. Margin:             Ciliate and pinnatisect. Color (adaxial surface): 203A.             Color (abaxial surface): 147C. Venation pattern: Pinnate.             Veins: Adaxial surface: Visible only as depressions, color             203A. Abaxial surfaces: Prominent, raised, color N199A.             Surfaces: Abaxial surfaces: Slightly puberulent. Adaxial             surfaces: Glabrous.         -   Compound leaf petiole (from stem to first pair of             leaflets).—Shape: Sulcate. Dimensions: 0.5 cm to 2 cm in             length and 3-4 mm in width. Color: Adaxial surface: 187B,             abaxial surfaces: 187B with streaks of 147C. Surfaces:             Glabrous.         -   Compound leaf radius (from first pair of leaflets to base of             terminal leaflet).—Shape: Sulcate with central midrib.             Dimensions: 10 cm in length, 3 mm in width. Color: Adaxial             surface: 187B, abaxial surfaces: 187B with streaks of 147C.             Surfaces: Glabrous.         -   First pair of leaflet petiolules.—Shape: Sulcate.             Dimensions: 3 cm in length, 1.25 mm in width. Color: Adaxial             surface: 187B, abaxial surfaces: 187B with streaks of 147C.             Surfaces: Glabrous. Stipules: Occasionally present singly or             in pairs at axils of first and second pairs of leaflets.             Attachment, sessile; division, simple; shape, elliptic with             central vein, surface, smooth with entire margin; color             203A. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal: Flowers classified as “single”             form, with single row of ray florets surrounding a central             cluster of disk florets.         -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.         -   Inflorescence quantity.—15-20 per 2-litre container plant.         -   Dimensions of inflorescence (average).—8.5 cm in diameter             and 2.0 cm in depth.         -   Inflorescence shape.—Radiate with center disk.         -   Blooming seasons.—Summer and fall.         -   Fragrance.—Slight fragrance when approached closely.         -   Lastingness of flowers.—Individual flowers remain intact on             the plant outdoors for 7-10 days. Newly-opened flowers on             cut flower stems remain intact in water indoors for 2 weeks.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions (average): 20 cm in length and 0.3-0.4             cm in diameter. Shape: Cylindrical. Surface: Glabrous.             Color: N186C.         -   Bud.—Shape: Oblate. Dimensions (average): 1.2 cm in height             and 1.5 cm in diameter. Surface: Glabrous. Appearance:             Semi-glossy. Color: 153D except 187B at flattened apex             immediately prior to opening. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: 8-10. Dimensions             (average): 3.80 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width. Shape:             Obovate. Apex: Obtuse with minute acute tip. Base: Cuneate.             Margin: Entire. Surface (adaxial and abaxial): Glabrous.             Arrangement: Radiate. Color (adaxial): 44B. Color (abaxial):             N30A. Vein color (adaxial): Not evident: As leaf surface,             barely visible. Vein color (abaxial): Parallel veins faintly             visible, ranges between 159D and N155D.         -   Disk florets.—Quantity of disk florets: 50-60 per             receptacle. Disk floret: Shape, tubular; corolla fused,             dimensions: 1.3 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. Disk             floret color: 46A becoming burnt in appearance at apex,             N77A. Disk floret apex: Acute. Disk floret surface (ventral             and dorsal surfaces): Glabrous. Receptacle (disk)             dimensions: 0.7 cm in depth and 2.5 cm in diameter.             Receptacle surface: Glabrous. Receptacle color: 53A.         -   Phyllary.—Inner phyllary: Number: 8-10. Shape: Elongated             ovate. Dimensions: 2.0 cm in length and 8 mm in width. Color             (adaxial and abaxial surfaces): 151B except 139A at base.             Texture: Scarious, waxy. Appearance: Translucent. Apex:             Rounded to subacute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Surface             (adaxial and abaxial): Glabrous. Outer phyllary: Number: 5             in number. Shape: Obovate. Dimensions: 1.0 cm in length and             0.6 cm in width. Color (adaxial surfaces): 200A. Color             (abaxial surfaces): 147A, margins 200A. Form: Reflexed.             Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Surface             (adaxial): Glabrous, glossy, ribbed. Approximately 8             longitudinal ribs 0.5-0.8 mm apart. Surface (abaxial):             Glabrous, glossy, smooth.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—(Present on disk florets only).         -   Stamens.—5 in number.         -   Stamen attachment.—Filament adnate to ventral surface of             corolla.         -   Stamen length.—8 mm in length.         -   Stamen color.—150B.         -   Anther.—Connate.         -   Anther color.—25A.         -   Pollen.—Present.         -   Quantity.—Large amount.         -   Pollen color.—24A.         -   Gynoecium.—(Present on both ray and disk florets).         -   Pistil.—One present.         -   Pistil length.—15 mm in length.         -   Stigma dimensions.—3 mm in length and 0.5 mm in width.         -   Stigma form.—Plumose.         -   Stigma color.—N25A.         -   Stigma shape.—Bifurcate.         -   Ovary position.—Inferior.         -   Ovary color.—N144A.         -   Ovary shape.—Rotund.         -   Ovary dimensions.—2 mm in width and 3 mm in height. -   Seed: None observed to date. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘MYSTIC ENCHANTMENT’ as described and illustrated herein. 